“My children will not go hungry again”

Moriom Begum (38) is one of 50 women who were trained by ActionAid to grow vegetables and one of five women trained to grow paddy.

The haor area of Sunamgonj, a north-eastern district of Bangladesh, where Moriom lives is a vast stretch of land that turns into lakes and marshland four months of the year. During this time there is very little, or no, agricultural activity, meaning day-labourers, like her husband, cannot find work. Finding money to buy food and other basic necessities becomes a constant struggle.

Moriom tells us the difference the training has made to her and her family.

I am now growing vegetables in my yard, which supplements my family’s food needs. If I have any surplus, I will barter with my neighbours for other vegetables or food items, reducing the amount I need to spend on food.

I am also growing paddy with four other women. We took a loan of 25,000 taka [£214] from VARD [ActionAid’s local partner organisation] to start our paddy nursery. Together, we dug and prepared the land, bought and sowed the seeds, and waited till the saplings would be ready for sale.

We have started selling our saplings and have already re-paid 15,000 taka [£129] of our loan. Once we have re-paid the loan, the paddy fields will be ours completely!” exclaims Moriom with glistening eyes. “My children will not go hungry again.”